Stories

Master Gunnery Sgt. Martin Duarte gives a speech to bring his retirement ceremony to a close, Feb. 11, 2016. Duarte steeped on the yellow footprints in May 1986 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and retired after 30 years of service with the Corps. As a leader of Marines, Duarte said he strived to lead by example and promoted service before self. An example of what inspires Duarte comes an Albert Pine quote: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. April L. Price/Released) - Master Gunnery Sgt. Martin Duarte gives a speech to bring his retirement ceremony to a close, Feb. 11, 2016. Duarte steeped on the yellow footprints in May 1986 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and retired after 30 years of service with the Corps. As a leader of Marines, Duarte said he strived to lead by example and promoted service before self. An example of what inspires Duarte comes an Albert Pine quote: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. April L. Price/Released)

U.S. Marine Sgt. Michael Peck, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, digs out a 60 mm round during Exercise Ssang Yong 16 on Suseongri live-fire range, Pohang, South Korea, March 13, 2016. Ssang Yong is a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by U.S. forces with the Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations. - U.S. Marine Sgt. Michael Peck, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, digs out a 60 mm round during Exercise Ssang Yong 16 on Suseongri live-fire range, Pohang, South Korea, March 13, 2016. Ssang Yong is a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by U.S. forces with the Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations.

Lucca, a 12-year-old retired Marine Corps military working dog, visits Camp Pendleton Feb. 29, 2016. Before her retirement in 2012, Lucca completed two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan where she led approximately 400 patrols until she was injured by an improvised explosive device. No Marines were injured on any patrol she led, including her final patrol where the explosion cost Lucca her front left leg. Lucca has been selected to receive the Dickin Medal, a European award that acknowledges outstanding acts of bravery or devotion to duty by animals serving with the armed forces or civil defense. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Lucca, a 12-year-old retired Marine Corps military working dog, visits Camp Pendleton Feb. 29, 2016. Before her retirement in 2012, Lucca completed two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan where she led approximately 400 patrols until she was injured by an improvised explosive device. No Marines were injured on any patrol she led, including her final patrol where the explosion cost Lucca her front left leg. Lucca has been selected to receive the Dickin Medal, a European award that acknowledges outstanding acts of bravery or devotion to duty by animals serving with the armed forces or civil defense. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

Lance Cpl. Gerald J. Demontmollin III scans the area for targets inside of a UH-1Y Venom Feb. 24, 2016, at Camp Pendleton. Demontmollin and his squadron performed simulated assault and close air support training to maintain unit readiness. Demontmollin, from Grass Valley, is a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Air Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles) - Lance Cpl. Gerald J. Demontmollin III scans the area for targets inside of a UH-1Y Venom Feb. 24, 2016, at Camp Pendleton. Demontmollin and his squadron performed simulated assault and close air support training to maintain unit readiness. Demontmollin, from Grass Valley, is a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Air Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles)

Marines execute a rehearsal of concept drill during combat marksmanship training at Camp Pendleton March 2, 2016. The training was part of the Urban Leaders Course taught by 1st Marine Division Schools. The course focuses on enhancing small unit leadership through integrated training and implementation of fire teams and squad-sized elements in an urban setting. Marines participating in the training are from various units on Camp Pendleton. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released) - Marines execute a rehearsal of concept drill during combat marksmanship training at Camp Pendleton March 2, 2016. The training was part of the Urban Leaders Course taught by 1st Marine Division Schools. The course focuses on enhancing small unit leadership through integrated training and implementation of fire teams and squad-sized elements in an urban setting. Marines participating in the training are from various units on Camp Pendleton. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)

Maj. Gen. Daniel J. O'Donohue presents the Naval Chaplaincy Excellence award to Petty Officer 3rd Class Dawaylon Farr at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 23, 2016. The ceremony recognized Lt. Michael Kennedy and Petty Officer 3rd Class Dawaylon Farr for going above and beyond the call of duty to provide spiritual guidance and renewed faith to Marines and sailors serving I Marine Expeditionary Force. O’Donohue, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, was a guest speaker and presented awards to the recipients. Kennedy is a chaplain with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Mar. Div. Farr is a religious program specialist with 1st Bn., 4th Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released) - Maj. Gen. Daniel J. O'Donohue presents the Naval Chaplaincy Excellence award to Petty Officer 3rd Class Dawaylon Farr at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 23, 2016. The ceremony recognized Lt. Michael Kennedy and Petty Officer 3rd Class Dawaylon Farr for going above and beyond the call of duty to provide spiritual guidance and renewed faith to Marines and sailors serving I Marine Expeditionary Force. O’Donohue, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, was a guest speaker and presented awards to the recipients. Kennedy is a chaplain with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Mar. Div. Farr is a religious program specialist with 1st Bn., 4th Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released)

Autonomous Robotic Human Type Targets make their way off of a firing range Feb. 18, at Camp Pendleton. With their GPS and sensors on the front, the targets are able to navigate the range on command and will correct their own paths to avoid obstacles. Marines with Division Schools, 1st Marine Division, are testing this target to see if they can use it to evolve their training by creating more realistic, less predictable scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. John Baker) - Autonomous Robotic Human Type Targets make their way off of a firing range Feb. 18, at Camp Pendleton. With their GPS and sensors on the front, the targets are able to navigate the range on command and will correct their own paths to avoid obstacles. Marines with Division Schools, 1st Marine Division, are testing this target to see if they can use it to evolve their training by creating more realistic, less predictable scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. John Baker)

Sgt. Roberto J. Perez, left, is congratulated by Sgt. Maj. Bradley Kasal after receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 16, 2016. The award was presented to Perez by Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, center, for being selected as the I Marine Expeditionary Force noncommissioned officer of the year. The NCO of the year is awarded to a Marine who exemplifies the highest standards of the Marine Corps, both physically and mentally, and has the ability to inspire Marines. Perez is a squad leader with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Kasal is the sergeant major of I Marine Expeditionary Force. Berger is the commanding general of I MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss) - Sgt. Roberto J. Perez, left, is congratulated by Sgt. Maj. Bradley Kasal after receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 16, 2016. The award was presented to Perez by Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, center, for being selected as the I Marine Expeditionary Force noncommissioned officer of the year. The NCO of the year is awarded to a Marine who exemplifies the highest standards of the Marine Corps, both physically and mentally, and has the ability to inspire Marines. Perez is a squad leader with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Kasal is the sergeant major of I Marine Expeditionary Force. Berger is the commanding general of I MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss)

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller, speaks on the Marine Corps’ current operational tempo, while Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Vice Adm. Charles D. Michel, left center, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson, left, and retired Adm. James Stavridis, right, listen during the WEST 2016 Conference at the San Diego Convention Center, Feb. 19, 2016. The purpose of the conference was for service members to come together and discuss strategic military concepts and training, as well as meet with companies that can assist in making their concepts a reality. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released) - Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller, speaks on the Marine Corps’ current operational tempo, while Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Vice Adm. Charles D. Michel, left center, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson, left, and retired Adm. James Stavridis, right, listen during the WEST 2016 Conference at the San Diego Convention Center, Feb. 19, 2016. The purpose of the conference was for service members to come together and discuss strategic military concepts and training, as well as meet with companies that can assist in making their concepts a reality. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)